Lawmakers, staff pan smoke-free Congress

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A new rule banning the sale of tobacco products on Capitol grounds has got Hill smokers, smoking mad.
John Shinkle

“As the Senate did, the chief administrative officer made the decision to no longer sell cigarettes in the House of Representatives,” said Jeff Ventura, the CAO spokesman. “In public spaces, the House is a nonsmoking facility, so the selling of tobacco products wasn’t in line with our smoke-free workplace policies.”

Beard’s decision enraged House-side smokers, and it made him the target of scorn from both sides of the aisle.

“I was outraged,” said Richard Hudson, chief of staff to Rep. John R. Carter (R-Texas). “It’s a legal product.”

Hudson, a tobacco chewer, would buy his tasty Copenhagen at the Longworth convenience store roughly three times a week. Now he has to walk more than eight blocks to buy his product, which, ironically, makes his habit a bit more healthy.

To some, the new ban carries a whiff of hypocrisy. “If we are really worried about people’s health, why are we still selling triple espressos, double bacon cheeseburgers and ice cream?” asked Hayden Rogers, chief of staff for Rep. Heath Shuler, a Democrat who hails from the tobacco state of North Carolina. “We all make serious decisions every day with real consequences, yet adults on the Hill are not allowed to decide for themselves whether or not to buy tobacco.”

And Boehner? “Apparently Dan Beard didn’t get the memo that the speaker is counting on more tobacco sales to ensure [the State Children’s Health Insurance Program] covers more adults and more illegal immigrants,” said Boehner spokesman Kevin Smith, tossing a little policy into the debate. “Beard’s move is decidedly off-message for a Congress that purports to be ‘for the children.’”

Still, for tobacco users, not all is lost — yet. There is still one place left on Hill grounds where smokers and chewers can get their fix. (No, it’s not just in Boehner’s office.) The Ford House Office Building will continue to sell products until September, when the contract expires.

“This is another thing to screw with staffers,” one anonymous aide grumbled about the tobacco ban. “What’s next?”

Hudson has the answer. “I think Fox News and chewing gum is the next thing to go,” he mused.

Clarification: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) banned smoking in the Speaker’s lobby, but previous speakers already had banned smoking in public places throughout the Capitol. The rules don't prohibit members from smoking in their private offices.

Readers' Comments (59)

The libs like to whine about how Bush has trampled all over their rights by they are the real control nazis.The smoking thing isn't the end of it. They'll be coming after the food industry next. They'll tell you what to set your thermostats at and whether you can have a fireplace or not.Now Big Nose Waxman is going to tell companies what they can pay CEO's The idiotic stimulus package will do nothing to help the average person. A lot of it is to bail out overspending liberal states who are doling out gov't benefits to illegals,especially Cal.

“This is silly ‘feel good’ crap by a bunch of do-gooders,” barked a high-level Democratic staffer (also a smoker). “We should be worried about the housing crisis, the unemployment rate and the national debt instead of making staffers walk four blocks to buy a pack of smokes.”

We should have seen this coming.

Just gotta love Politico trying to help our pathetic Democratically-controlled Congress. Notice how the single Democrat mentioned in the article who is against the smoking nazis is unnamed, but the Republicans are specifically identified? Shouldn't Congress be more focused on passing budgets, and allowing Americans to keep more of their own money so they can spend it? Instead, they focus on a convenient bogey-man, smoking, as if that's going to resurrect their approval numbers...... What it really points out is the gutlessness of these Congressional Democrats to legislate an out-and-out ban on tobacco.

?If we are really worried about people?s health, why are we still selling triple espressos, double bacon cheeseburgers and ice cream?? asked Hayden Rogers, chief of staff for Rep. Heath Shuler, a Democrat who hails from the tobacco state of North Carolina. The man makes a good argument. However, use of these items, unlike smoke, don't adversely affect anyone's health except for the user. They will, however, add to the expenses shared by all taxpayers for the health care problems that will follow. Like tobacco, no amount of triple espressos, double bacon cheeseburgers, or ice cream are good for anyone's health.

However, use of these items, unlike smoke, don't adversely affect anyone's health except for the user.

i bet you can make an argument that cell phones and power lines have an adversly effect on humans. with all the radio waves in the air im sure we are just on a slow cook cycle

“This is silly ‘feel good’ crap by a bunch of do-gooders,” barked a high-level Democratic staffer (also a smoker). “We should be worried about the housing crisis, the unemployment rate and the national debt instead of making staffers walk four blocks to buy a pack of smokes.”

We should have seen this coming.

they can kiss my butt. they just outlawed smoking in any public place, even the local taverns where there are no food sales. what are they going to take from us next.

they are raising taxes on cigarettes to increase funding for schools but they are outlawing cigarettes. guess they dont care about the schools

At my work, they charge smokers more for health insurance. Because it's a choice that we make and... don't you know, smokers cost the health insurance company more... We are now waiting for... Higher charges if... we are overweight if we have high blood pressure If we don't exercise 3 times a week If we have high cholesterol If our family had a history of heart attacks, cancer... If we a prone to diabetes...

However, use of these items, unlike smoke, don't adversely affect anyone's health except for the user. They will, however, add to the expenses shared by all taxpayers for the health care problems that will follow.

Effects of second-hand smoke are vastly overstated. Per the Cancer institute's own statistics, only 1 of 8 heavy smokers (>1 pack a day, for 20 years) gets lung cancer (or 12%). So how exactly is an occasional whiff of second-hand smoke going to endanger others, with the exception of the very young or those whose lungs are already damaged?

Check out the documentary "Super Me"; it only took 30 days of fast food to nearly kill an adult male. Obesity is the leading healthcare problem, because it ends in diabetes, heart problems, lung problems, and knee surgeries.

I don't smoke in my house, restaurants (I prefer a smoke free dining experience), or around children or those with asthma. I exercise three times a week. To say I can't light up in a tavern because it endangers the health of nonsmokers...as they ingest alcoholic drinks that convert to formaldehyde in their bodies...is ridiculous.

At my work, they charge smokers more for health insurance. Because it's a choice that we make and... don't you know, smokers cost the health insurance company more... We are now waiting for... Higher charges if... we are overweight if we have high blood pressure If we don't exercise 3 times a week If we have high cholesterol If our family had a history of heart attacks, cancer... If we a prone to diabetes...

People who have children should be charged more, too. As delivery rooms, childhood diseases, and annual visits to the doctor, dentist, orthodontist, and optometrist cost money, too.

At my work, they charge smokers more for health insurance. Because it's a choice that we make and... don't you know, smokers cost the health insurance company more... We are now waiting for... Higher charges if... we are overweight if we have high blood pressure If we don't exercise 3 times a week If we have high cholesterol If our family had a history of heart attacks, cancer... If we a prone to diabetes...

People who have children should be charged more, too. As delivery rooms, childhood diseases, and annual visits to the doctor, dentist, orthodontist, and optometrist cost money, too.

couch potatoes should be charged less. although fatter and a risk of heart problems they are less likely to fall or run into something

This is why Democraps are fundamentally stupid. They think everyone wants their help when WE DON'T! We have to put up with this now in Illinois. It's crazy. It is a legal product that is taxed. It is not a narcotic. If smoking bugs non-smokers so much then they should go to businesses that tailor to non-smokers while smokers go to businesses that tailor to them. Thankfully a few local bar owners say to hell with the law and allow smoking.

With the benefits, entitlements, and pensions these leaders receive as a result of their "service" I say kudos to the new rules! I'm a retired Kentucky State employee who was made to go outside to smoke since I chose to indulge in that habit. Now, all of a sudden, the same rules are being imposed on our Washington leaders. It's disgusting to see these people whining over things that make no difference whatsoever. My simple solution?? Buy the product elsewhere and put it in your briefcase before you get in your limo and are driven to work. Or, most of these leaders have "people," who can make a run for whatever they need. No wonder the approval rating for Congress has plummeted to an all time low. They just don't get it, do they?? Thankfully I'm now a non-smoker and although I can understand the addiction they have to smoking, they need to get a reality check.

When's Nanny Pelosi going to ban plastic surgery and all those DRUGS necessary to "make it all happen"?

Speaking of drugs, I'm curious if McCain is using steroids. Many if not most people undergoing chemotherapy (among other things) are prescribed a regiment of steroids, to counter the negative effects of the former. I'm just curious, think it ought to be available for public scrutiny.

But, back to Nanny Pelosi: is she going to ban all those flowers she's dinging the taxpayers for? I'm sure she won't be banning floral treatments, but I'm just curious if, perhaps, we might start considering whether Nanny Pelosi should be banned.

I agree about the smoking ban, however. Public buildings, after all...but in all fairness, I'm betting that there are going to be more than a few Senate and Congressional offices with doors closed, smokin' away. I mean, who is going to stop them? Nanny Pelosi? Now, there's something I'd pay to see, Nanny Pelosi grabbing Teddy Kennedy by the ear and hauling him off to the "user's room".

I don't smoke, but I also don't like Gestapo practices. And, it's hypocritical. Yes, go ahead and stop selling cigarettes, but ignore alcohol. It would be interesting to compare how much more death and "collateral" destruction have been caused by alcohol versus cigarettes.

I'm not proposing a ban on alcohol (I want that glass of wine or two at the end of the day!), but banning the sale of cigarettes is hypocritical. As far as that goes, I think banning marijuana has been ineffective as well. Those that want it are apparently able to get it with little difficulty, and I fail to understand why it's any more harmful than alcohol.

that tailor to non-smokers while smokers go to businesses that tailor to them. Thankfully a few local bar owners say to hell with the law and allow smoking.

where at? i just had to cross the river to stlouis yesterday to get my smoke on in the bar. i dont get it either. i can understand resteraunts and other places but not bars and clubs. if there is such a demand for non smoking then why dont they open up a non smoking bar

What a bunch of pansies! Americans have been losing their right to smoke for years, no smoking in food establishments, theaters and public places and no republican or democrat has defended the smokers right, complaining will be met with being voted out of office! Remove these elitist and start with Nancy Nancy, Teddy Teddy and Leaky Leaky!

Smoking is an obnoxious and appalling habit. Its equal to someone passing gas at the doorways or while one eats. However, bodily gas is safer. It's good that the product is not sold in an area where the use is not allowed. Boo-hoo that the smokers have to walk a few blocks to get their cancer sticks. I?m sure the extra exercise will only help you.